By Sheila Mckenzie –
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared a picture of their daughter Lilibet after celebrating her first birthday.
Prince Harry and Meghan shared the picture yesterday, after being touched by birthday wishes they received for their second child, who was named in honour of the Queen.
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The couple’s choice of name for their daughter had initially been controversial after critics took issue with the fact she had named her after the Queen, whose royal family they had taken a step back in terms of royal duties. They pointed out they had sought the queen’s permission before officially naming their child after the beautiful nick name her Majesty bore as a child.
On Friday, the Sussexes made their first public appearance in Britain together for 2 years when they attended a service of thanksgiving for the Queen at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The couple were also pictured watching Trooping the Colour from a window, but were not part of the carriage procession or the group of working royals and their children permitted on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
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Social media users quickly noted the striking similarities between Lilibet and her dad – comparing the image to that of Harry as a one-year-old and saying the royal has “cloned himself”
One person wrote: “Lilibet Diana looks like her papa, Prince Harry.”
Another social media user posted two photos of the pair with a matching head of red hair, writing: “Prince Harry and his daughter Lilibet photographed at the same age.”
A third added alongside a smiling emoji: “Prince Harry cloned himself. Happy birthday Lilibet Di.
Lilibet: Image:PA
Prince Harry playing piano at 1Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Last week, was the first opportunity for the 96-year-old monarch to meet her great-grandaughter, who was born in Santa Barbara, California, where the Sussexes now live after stepping back as senior working royals.
The photo was taken by a family friend Misan Harriman at a picnic attended by family and close friends, a spokesperson for the duke and duchess said.
Professional photographer Mr Harriman later shared a black and white snap on Twitter of Meghan holding Lilibet alongside the words: “It was such a privilege to celebrate the 1st birthday of Lilibet with my family and hers! Joy and face painting all around.”
They added that more than $100,000 (£79,800) worth of donations had been made in their daughter’s honour by people around the globe to World Central Kitchen – an organisation providing meals for those affected by humanitarian, climate and community crises.
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